Module

Teaching as a Vocation and

2
Mission
Brenda B. Corpuz, PhD

Learning Outcomes:
Explain teaching as a vocation and mission

Activity
Read the selection below. "Teaching: Mission and/or Job?"

If you are doing it only because you are paid for it, it's a job;
If you are doing it not only for the pay but also for service, it's a mission.
If you quit because your boss or colleague criticized you, it's a job;
If you keep on teaching out of love, it's a mission.
If you teach because it does interfere with your other activities, it's a job;
If you are committed to teaching even if it means letting go of other activities, it's a mission.
If you quit because no one praises or thank you for what you do, it's a job;
If you remain teaching even though nobody recognizes your efforts, it's a mission.
It's hard to get excited about a teaching job;
It's almost impossible not to get excited about a mission.
If our concern is success, it's a job;
If our concern in teaching is success plus faithfulness in our job, teaching is a mission.
An average school is filled by teachers doing their teaching job;
A great school is filled with teachers involved in a mission of teaching.
*Adapted from Ministry or Job by Anna Sandberg

Analysis
Let's try to ponder some issues based from the selection.
Based from the selection, how will you differentiate teaching as a job and teaching as a mission?
What is meant by vocation? mission?
As you opted to choose education as your course, how do you perceive teaching? teaching as a job?
or teaching as a job and mission?

My Answer:
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 Abstraction: Let's add to what you
already know
Teaching as a Vocation
Vocation comes from the Latin word "vocare" which means to call. Further, according on the etymology
of word, the term "vocation" means a call. If there is a call, there must be a caller and someone who is
called. For Christians, the Caller is God Himself. For our Muslim brothers and sisters - Allah.
Oftentimes, when people use the word "vocation," they are referring to a religious vocation/calling.
Vocation includes other big callings like marriage and single blessedness. Vocation can also refer to a call to
do something like to teach, to heal the sick, etc. Whatever is our calling or station in life, the call is always to
serve.
People believe that they are "called" according to their faith. For Christians, the Bible is full of stories of
men and women who are called by God to do something not for themselves but for others. For instance,
Abraham is called by God to be the father of all nation, the nation of God's chosen people. Moses, who was
called and led Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. In the New Testament, Mary was called by God to become
the mother of Jesus Christ. In Islam, Muhammad is called to spread the teachings of Allah. All of them
responded positively to their calling.
Therefore, from the eyes of those who believe, it was God who called you teach, just as God called
Abraham, Moses and Mary of the Bible. Among so many, you were called to teach. Like you, those biblical
characters did not understand the nature of their call, but with their faith, they obeyed and answered YES.
The fact that you are now in the College of Teacher Education signifies that you said YES to the call of
teaching. Perhaps, you never imagine yourself to become a teacher! But here are you now preparing to
become one! Teaching must be your vocation/calling. May this YES response remain a YES and become
even more firmer through the years.

Teaching as a Mission
Teaching is a mission. The word mission comes from the Latin word "mission" which means "to
send." According to the Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary, mission is defined as "task assigned." So,
remember that you are sent to accomplish an assigned task.
The phrase "mission accomplished" somehow suggests that you were sent to do an assigned task, a
mission and so if you faithfully accomplish the assigned task, you proclaim "mission accomplished". You
responded to the call to be a teacher and so your mission in the world is to teach. These are how vocation
and mission are related. Remember, that you were called for a purpose to accomplish a mission - that is to
teach.
From now on, you cannot take your studies for granted! Your four years of pre-service preparation
will equip you with knowledge, skills and attitude to become an effective teacher. Moreover, you have
embarked in a mission that calls for a continuing professional development as a saying goes "once a
teacher, forever a student" thus, learning is a continuous process.
What exactly is the mission to teach?
Is it merely to teach the child fundamental skills or basic r's of reading, 'riting, 'rithmetic and right
conduct?
Is it to help a child master the basic skills so he/she can continue acquiring higher-level skills in order to
become a productive member of society?
Is it to deposit facts and other information into the "empty minds" of students to be withdrawn during
quizzes and tests?
Or it is to "midwife" the birth of ideas latent in the minds of students?
Is it to facilitate the maximum development of his/her potential not only for him/herself but also for
others?
Is it to help the child become "the man of culture and of expertise?" - Alfred North Whitehead
Or is it "to provide opportunities for the child's growth and to remove hampering influences" as Bert
Rusell suggest it?
You will try to answer this questions again when you will be asked to formulate and write down
your philosophy of education in the later lesson.
 To teach is to do all those mentioned task! To teach is to influence every child entrusted in your care
to become better and happier because life becomes more meaningful. To teach is to help the child become
more human.

Teaching and a Life of Meaning

Do you want to give your life a meaning? Do you want to live a purpose-driven life? Then, spend it
passionately in teaching, the most noble profession. Let me share with you a brief background and
education views of Dr. Josette T. Biyo, the first Asian Teacher to win the Intel Excellence in Teaching Award in
an international competition. At first, Dr. Biyo was not really into teaching, she earned her bachelor's degree
in Biological Sciences from the University of the Philippines Visayas. At first, she is intending to continue to
medical school however, she took teaching post and she spent eight years teaching in a rural community in
her province. She used her knowledge and skills in Biology to educate residents using local plants and
ingredients. She also served as the Executive Director of the Philippine Science High School System. At
present she is the director of Science Education Institute under the Department of Science and Technology
(DOST). Now, let's read an excerpt from her speech delivered before a selected group of teachers,
superintendents, DepEd officials and consultants;
" Teaching may not be a lucrative position. It cannot guarantee financial security. It even means
investing your personal time, energy and resources. Sometimes it means disappointments, heartaches and
pains. But touching the hearts of people and opening the minds of children can give you joy and contentment
which money could not buy. These are the moments I teach for. These are the moments I live for. "

The story of Dr. Biyo perhaps touched your heart, and so do I. Let me share also with you my
personal story. Just like Dr. Biyo, at first, I am not also intended to teach. I earned my Bachelors Degree in
Biology at Bicol University College of Science. Truly it was my dream to be a medical doctor, however, God
called me in His own way which is completely different to what I am aiming for. Hence, I obeyed that call and
right after my graduation in March 2011, I decided to enroll Certificate in College Teaching at Bicol
University College of Education by April 2011. Indeed, it was God who called and led me to my teaching
path. Honestly, deep in my heart there was this "inner calling of teaching" even before I started my college
years, instead of responding to that call, I declined it. But as you see, if it's your calling it will really hunt you
and will bring you to that path whatever it takes - and here I am now, passionately teaching and somehow
wanted to inspire young minds and also to touch the hearts of those aspiring to be in teaching profession.

There are times when you feel like giving up. exhausted, and feeling weak because of unfortunate
situations in teaching career. But you have to remember that you responded to the "call to teach" and you
have accepted the "mission" to teach. May you be found faithful to your vocation and mission till the end.

The "Pwede na" Mentality: Enemy of Excellent Mission Preparation and Accomplishment

For a professional teacher who looks at teaching as his/her mission, will surely do everything to
arm/prepare himself/herself to accomplish the mission with excellence. Consequently, the striving for
excellent accomplishment will sometimes bring us to our "pwede na" mentality, which is inimical to
excellence. This mentality is expressed in other ways like "talagang ganyan yan", "wala na tayong
magagawa", "di ko na yan sagot", "dagdag sa trabaho/gastos lang yan" - these are all indicators of defeatism
and resignation to mediocrity. If we will stick to this mentality, excellent mission accomplishment eludes us.
In the real world of work, whether here or abroad, only the best, with right attitude and the brightest make
it. The mortality rate in the Licensure Examination for Teachers for these past years is a glaring evidence
that we are in need of excellent teacher education graduates. If we remain true to our calling and mission
as a professional teacher, we have no choice but to take the endless and the "less traveled road" to
excellence.
 Application

Let's try to apply what you have learned.

Task 1. The Humanizing Mission of Teaching

Read the letter given by a private school principal to her teachers on the first day of a new school
year. It might help you better understand the true meaning of humanizing mission.
Dear Teacher:
I am a survivor of a concentration camp.
My eyes saw what no man should witness:

Gas chambers built by learned engineers.

Children poisoned by educated physician.
Infants killed by trained nurses.
Women and babied shot and burned by high school and college graduates

So I am suspicious of education.
My request is: Help your students become human.
Your efforts must never produce learned monsters, skilled psychopaths and *Eichmanns.

Reading, writing arithmetic are important only if they serve to make our children more human.

From the letter: Explain your mission as a professional teacher by helping children become more human.

Task 2. Video Clip Viewing

Watch a video clip entitled "Discovering Your Life's True Calling" by Lou Sabrina Ongkiko at Youtube.
Based on the video, answer the following questions:
a. what is our life's true calling?
b. how can you apply that in your calling to teach?
Youtube link: [Link]

Reference
Bilbao, P.P. et. al., 2018. The Teaching Profession 4th Edition. Lorimar Publishing, Inc. 776 Aurora
Blvd., cor. Boston Street, Cubao, Quezon City, Metro Manila
[Link]

Notice
After reading, learning and accomplishing the tasks, please kindly submit your answers/outputs
through the following internet learning platforms.
NOTE: Choose the platform which is the most convenient for you.

leenellmedes@[Link]
Google Classroom
BSED I Sci-A: Gcode - 57it65s
BSED I Sci-B: Gcode - vuqjibx
Our Official GC via messenger

"Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is real possession in the changing fortunes of times." -
Desiderata
 Self and Module Check!
How was your learning experience? Tell me about it. Draw your response on
the circle provided.

Self Evaluation

Module Evaluation

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and easy to understand.

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revision

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Prof Ed 2. MLLM
Thank you for your honest answers.